Projects Thinking of pulling the trigger.

Some of you may remember my post about trading my driver (97 Altima) for a running, driving project. Just something to tinker with, learn and enjoy since the demise of my business which resulted in me having to liquidate all my cars. (I had a few) It's also a kind of therapy for me. When my cars went away it was like somebody cut off part of my body. Well, i decided instead of looking at ads i'd post 1 and see what it brings. I got a call tonight from a guy who wants to trade me his 63 Belair for my car. Personally, i like it. Small block, glide and basic. Here's some pics. Tell me what you think. I value your opinions.

 

Just remember to keep your barrel down range and on target...oh, that's not what you meant.

Personally, I like those cars, especially the mor-dors. I'd check around the hinge pockets and behind the wheel wells in the trunk for excessive rusting.

 

It is a nice ol car! I would be interested!!!

 

Chop the coils, put on some chrome reverse wheels, pinner whites, twice pipes with gl*** packs and you'll never look back! Trust me on this...

 

I'd like to get my hands on a car just like this one. There's a local junkyard with a 2 door post in it that I could get the doors and door jambs off of pretty cheap (you know where I'm going with this already).

I know I suggest this in just about every thread but this really is the perfect car to do it on. Even if it's a few years down the road and you just drive it as-is for a while.

I'd keep it the same color, I like that green with a white top. I'd buy some wire wheels for it and I'd probably bag it, at least in the rear. Kind of a mild lowrider look.

As for a trade for a '97 Altima, that seems like a pretty square deal. What's the '97 Nissan worth? $1500 maybe? Sounds about right to me.

 

The antenna is broken

 

A '97 Altima for a '63 Chevy.....
Do I need to B-slap ya all the way from the Left Coast???

The first thing you do is huck the 'caps as far away as possible!

 

that engine bay is just beggin for a wash, paint, detail, - that'll be the easiest wire tuck ever.

 

I would go for it!!

 

Wise *** local guys.

 

'63's and '64's are cool cars...two door or more doors...and they can be made into a decent looking ride without much work and $$$...that one looks like a sold speciman...

Here's a '64 my bro and I did...we pulled the tired 283" out of it, poked in a junkyard 350", hooked to the P'glide, did some body work and repainted it the stock green color on top...added white to the bottom to change it up and tossed on some 5-spokes...

R-

 

What ever you do check the frame as they are known to rust and if you have a nice altima I think the 63 and a some money but if its a beater e even trade would be OK.

 

heres what it comes down to when i think about making a car purchase....is it something i would do a double take on when it drove by?

an altima i might not even notice.

a small block powered chevy...2 or 4 or 6 door.....yeah i would. and i would watch it till it disappeared hoping it would do something cool.

it might not be the most efficient vehicle.....but....if you business went belly up i guess commutings not a worry.

 

Newbomb - feel your pain, what business you in? sold my goodies for a payroll and a mortgage to meet.

Go for it, you will feel good and when things turn, you can get something else and build up your stock again.

 

Unless it's way to rusty in the areas mentioned you've gotta go for it!

 

what an awesome deal. it looks like the chevys pretty striaght, you cant go wrong. fuel may cost more but itd be worth it. good luck.

 

Exactly right, about the frame. They will rust out where it kicks up over the rear axel, and down the rear frame rails. Looks like a nice 63.

 

Go for it Tim..............A little elbow grease...............a new antenna..........cut a coil on each corner...............to keep it really low buck paint the steelies a cool flake color, chrome lugnuts, pinner whites. Look at 63 Biscuits avatar its a way cool 4 dr 63 with a 6 in it.

 

Hold out for a 2 door.

 

Hell ya.........And look at Cheech's "Love Machine" from Up in Smoke for inspiration.

 

Before commiting to the deal, why does the current owner want rid of it? And enough to want a '97 Altima (what ever that is ) for it?

 

Aren't these called crew cabs nowadays?
I agree with JunkYardJeff, if you can come out of it with some cash too then you can at least get some tires (and an antennae) to start with.

 

Dixiedog............I love you avitar. very cool dog. He looks like he's got some devil in him too

 

Looks like it's got a fair amount of rust....but I'm from Dallas so what do I know about rust. Check it over close.

 

The retail price on a clean 97 altima is over $3800.

There's no way I'd pay 3800 for a rusty dented 4 door with a bad interior, even if it ran good.

Don't let your desire to own another old car get you screwed into something you don't really want, for too much money.

Let's say you trade your daily driver for it, then 2 weeks from now, the transmission or engine **** out on you. Do you have the tools. skills, place to work on it, and friends with a pickup truck to get and install a junkyard engine or trans.

If your dream car is a beat down 4 door bel aire, go for it.

 

Ok, that is RETAIL. Do you know how many miles are on the Altima ? Do you know what kind of condition it is in ? Do you know anything about the Altima ? I say if the trade will make you happy, then go for it.

 

Is that big ragged rust hole in the left quarter ahead of the wheel well an escape hatch in case of Rapture?
I'd wonder if that car still has floors in it. Rust is such a big issue up North you really need to put that hunk up on a lift and poke around to see if it will hold together 'til you can get it home.

Think about it. You can find something better and might just enjoy the hunt as much as the result.

 

Im gonna second this. I picked up a 64 once looked pretty good but the bottom of the frame was gone.

 

Sell the altima and then buy what you want. I think that the rusty 4 door belair is worth half of what you will get for the altima.

Just looking at that car, I bet the floors, body mounts, and trunk are rusted.

 

The guy trading this car for a altima is getting the better deal by far!